Twenty-two Things NOT to Wear to an Interview

Here is my list of things not to wear for an interview, regardless of what you will wear to do the job. I once worked as an office manager and twice I had to hire an assistant. When I tell you these are no-no's, believe me they are. The office I worked in had 8 males in it. The best compliment they ever gave me was I had hired some of the best office assistance they'd ever had.

So, if you're looking for a job, search this list for possible glitches. I promise, it won't hurt.

These are the first 21 Interview NO-NO's.

1. Open toed shoes, particularly if you don’t scrub your toes. UGH! Best to wear a nice low heeled pump.

2. Sneakers, track, running, or walking shoes.

3. Spandex. I don’t care how good your figure is, you look cheap and tacky. So help me, I had a woman come for an interview in spandex top and pants. She was apple shaped. I wrote her off before she got into the building.

4. Large Floral prints or huge quantities of floras (particularly if it is spandex). This should be obvious. You aren’t a sofa. The spandex on the woman in #3 was floral.

5. Ruffles and bows. This too should be obvious. You aren’t a gift either.

6. Mixed patterns. Plaids and stripes are nice but not together and not unless paired with a solid.

7. Peek-a-boo blouses. Sheer fabric is not appropriate for daywear, I don’t care how hot it is. If you’re applying for a stripper job, maybe.

8. Tight fitting knits that show every crease. Even skinny people have creases or bony protuberances.

9. A dress with a split to your thigh. Ditch the split until Saturday night. YOU may think that the interviewer will dig your pretty legs or think you’re sexy. A woman interviewer will not. A male may not want a vamp since his wife or girlfriend may drop into the office on occasion.

10. Shorts, regardless of how dressy they are.

11. Pancake. Those of you in theater know what this is. Understated makeup makes you look real. When it is over-done, you look tired and old. Let me just say that Cleopatra is dead and you aren’t a clown. Tar around the eyes is not attractive and plaster on the face isn’t either. Go for a natural look.

12. Unbrushed teeth. PLEASE look in the mirror! If they have never had a professional cleaning, get thee to a dentist. If you can’t afford that, get a box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and start using it twice at day to brush your teeth. It will eventually whiten them and it is good for your gums.

13. Too much jewelry. That tacky thing is easy to do. A ring on every finger is not attractive. Nor is five rings on one finger. Twelve necklaces aren’t either. Earrings that hang to your shoulder are not pretty. The long earlobes and gaping holes that they have caused are truly ugly. Lose the clanking bracelets. Less is more is the rule to follow.

14. Stiletto heals. Give me a break. They are not looking for liabilities.

15. Nothing purple, particularly if you are a BBW or BBM.

16. Goth. Yes, I’ve heard it is cool. . . from 16 year-olds. You’re over 21. Get over it.

17. Tattoos. No everyone is turned on by Tats and great art is best view on a wall. If you must get them, heaven forbid, please be discreet. Cover them for interviews and work. I know several professionals who have tattoos, but not because I saw them. The naked dancer on your forearm should be shared with your most intimate friends only. That pretty rose should be in a bouquet and is gift for getting the job and be in a vase where you can smell it and enjoy your accomplishment.

18. Obviously dyed black hair. See #11.

19. Weird colored lipstick and/or eye shadow. Do people still wear that electric blue eye shadow? Yep. See #11.

20. Ear phones or cell phones. Remove them from your ear, put them away and turn them off.

21. Chewing gum. You’re not a cow. Toss the cud before you enter the building.

22. Cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Neither at least an hour before. Not after you have bathed. Not while wearing your interview clothes. And try to quit. You stink to the vast majority of people, even when you aren't smoking. Besides, it cause wrinkles.

Have you seen the commercial advertising a spot remover? A guy is being interviewed for a job and is unaware of the spot on his shirt. But the spot is screaming to the interviewer so loudly that he can't hear what the guy is saying. This is what any one of these things will do for you. It draws attention away from you. You want your overall appearance to impress, not detract from what you are saying.

So, what do you wear for an interview? Hmmm, I guess that is the next post?